Game Description:The universe sits on the verge of destruction, as does the friendship of one of the most beloved duos in gaming history. Experience an all new epic adventure as you help Ratchet and Clank reunite and, hopefully, save the day. In addition to a slew of new wacky weaponry, players will also have to manipulate time itself in order to overcome the game's mind-bending puzzling and platforming, and ultimately defeat the diabolical Dr. Nefarious once and for all.

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Review

For seven years now, the Ratchet and Clank series has moved from being a hallmark of a ubiquitous genre to being, like its Lombax hero, among the last of its kind; the action-platformer. The style of game, which dates back to the arcades of the eighties, has always been about immediate accessibility and satisfaction, plus variety in environment and weapons, initially to keep the player dumping quarters but now to keep them rooted in their seat.

The Pros

Exceptional controls that suck you in

Wonderful writing and story

Platforming to dream about

The Cons

Space Battles become redundant

Could be more top challenge platforming

Bolt economy a little too favorable

For seven years now, the Ratchet and Clank series has moved from being a hallmark of a ubiquitous genre to being, like its Lombax hero, among the last of its kind; the action-platformer. The style of game, which dates back to the arcades of the eighties, has always been about immediate accessibility and satisfaction, plus variety in environment and weapons, initially to keep the player dumping quarters, but now to keep them rooted in their seat. Insomniac Games’ steadfast adherence to this formula has brought cries of stubbornness from some quarters and heralds of traditionalism from others. As Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time should prove, they do it, most likely, because it a ridiculous amount of fun to play.

A Tale of Two Things

A Crack in Time concludes the trilogy ofRatchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty, with the titular characters separated from one another. Clank, spirited away by the Zoni at the end of Tools, is now in the clutches of Dr. Nefarious at the Great Clock a…really big clock that controls time in the galaxy. Ratchet, on the other hand, is diligently pursuing his friend alongside the giant green buffoon Captain Qwark. While the overall story is about their inevitable reunion to stop Nefarious from destroying the universe by misusing the clock, ACiT manages to tell some much smaller and remarkably effective stories inside the overall narrative. Matters of familial duty and friendship, the fear of loneliness and loss permeate the story and present some surprisingly touching moments, particularly through the character of Melvin, an assistant caretaker robot at the Great Clock. Not to say that the game isn’t funny either; in fact, this is one of the funniest tales, boasting some of the sharpest dialogue in the series yet, especially from Captain Qwark’s mouth. Looking at the games as a whole, from Going Commando’s balls-to-the-wall inanity to ACiT, one can say that the biggest maturation for the series is the storytelling, which now far exceeds family-friendly fare in most media.

What does make the story of ACiT so effective is the application of the technology in the game. The massive environments perfectly capture the tone and character of its inhabitants and more importantly, the animations offer subtle nuances and broad strokes that convey all the emotions and humor with confidence that the audience can read them without overstatement. When you’re playing the game, these touches provide one of the most visually vibrant experiences you can have, the screen is awash in color and physically insensible movement that recalls the best work of the great Warner Brothers animators.

These achievements all facilitate the enthusiasm of the gameplay which is as rock solid as ever. While ToD felt somewhat narrow in its gameplay focus, ACiT returns to the variety, strategy and challenge of Up Your Arsenal. The weapons roll out more thoughtfully in the game and they are a stronger mixture of straight-up offensive implements and those designed to keep throngs of bad guys at bay. I found myself frequently going to the weapon select screen and thinking through my next decision, a key element that set the series apart from its brethren, and finding the results all the more satisfying. Another wise decision that contributes to the better strategic elements is that the “honeycomb” upgrading tree of Tools and Deadlocked have been discarded, replaced with three basic weapons, the bombs, blaster and shotgun that have upgrades scattered around the game world to be collected (although weapons do still improve with use). This implementation prevents players from manipulating upgrades to make just a handful of weapons necessary to get through the combat scenarios. Instead, it encourages exploration, which is never a bad thing. Where the game is still a little wonky is in its economy, the bolts -- used to purchase weapons and ammo -- are plentiful enough to never cause the tough decision of what to buy, a small effect on the overall game but something that did add a nice touch to previous installments.

…Spice of Life

Variety is truly the hallmark of ACiT, as, even with combat scenarios, every setting presents a unique twist on familiar tropes: the new hover boots make traversing the massive levels a new challenge and the return of devices like the grindrails can prove devious in their layout. The big twists in this installment, though, are Time and Space. Clank is possessed with the ability to manipulate time in the Great Clock, which adds a whole new level to some platforming sequences and offers up some wonderful puzzles where you record multiple Clank movements in order to proceed through particular rooms. These puzzle sequences may seem daunting at first, but they are not so much based on figuring out the secret as solved through experimentation, making the trial and error more hopeful and the end results far more satisfying. For younger players and those uninterested in thinking, they can be skipped altogether, at the cost of a nice chunk of bolts. For those who enjoy the cerebral workout, special challenge options also awaits those heading for completion.

The Space elements of the game are a real joy. The universe is divided into smaller galaxies that you explore with your spacecraft, each dotted with planets that provide smaller, optional objectives such as eliminating a certain number of enemies or engaging in straight-up platforming sequences to collect a missing Zoni at the end. These segments break up the overall story and provide worthwhile rewards but, for those hungering for some quality jumping after Super Mario Galaxy, this is the real treat. Floating platforms, the use of hoverboots and fire spouts, among other things, recall the great platforming challenges of yore and really take advantage of the precise movement controls that are such a standout of the Ratchet series and are a welcome treat. Towards the end of the game, they become ridiculously challenging, although it would have been nice to see the difficulty in the sequences arrive a little earlier, especially once you realize the potential for the diversions. Unfortunately, the space combat has been simplified, to avoid the issues with the Z–Axis from previous games, the results are much easier to handle but they come with such frequency that redundancy sets in early.

Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time is a remarkable achievement that makes the case for the series’ longevity and determined adherence to form. The game’s basics work so well and the improvements and changes are brought in to take advantage of one of the most solid gameplay foundations available. Similar to the mathematical properties that find infinite potential in a finite space, Insomniac continues to mine the genre for more and more while always making the experience feel like your favorite well-worn pajamas on a lazy Saturday morning. Once you throw them on, you know they’re not coming off all day.

Comments are Closed

My first Sony game console is the ps3. For some reason when shopping for new games I would come across a Ratchet and Clank title, pick it up and look at it, and inevitably put it back thinking "I bet its stupid/lame." I felt that since it was E rated it would be immature and just for kids. I had never played a R and C game before yesterday. Since then, I found out I was a complete idiot because of my presumptions. THIS GAME IS INCREDIBLE!!! I mean i'm 30 and almost always pickup M rated games, except for Batman Arkhum Asylum/City, but this sh#t here is better than any Mature title I've played..You know what, I'll just come out and say that this is one of the best games I've ever played, PERIOD. Don't be a dummy like me. This game is so good that if you don't play it, you'd be doing your ps3 a disservice. P.S. I got Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time

just got it and loved it. just got a ps3 and that was a good choice for a game. the only thing that sucks about it is that i only got nine hours out of it[including getting all the zonie] but the weapons and the charactors are new and better than ever. YOU SHOULD DEFFIENTLY GET THIS GAME. one more thing. also would of liked to see multiplayer...

This ratchet and clank was fair but I personally found the controls to be lacking or perhaps I should say the camera angles are lacking. Many times during play you'll find your self saying wtf I can not see what's going on. These camera angle fustrations for me stook away the fun in most of the action

Well I have played this one and i gotta say, I am kinda disappointed. Dont get me wrong it is a great game, but there are a few things that could have been better. Such as the weapons, and the gladiator arena. I am a die hard fan of the series, but just like ToD, this game cannot compare with Up Your Arsenal.

Yeah to be honest this game let me down again. So far the only two Ratchet and Clank games I have really enjoyed r, the very first one and Tools of Destruction. The reason is because both start off with Ratchet and Clank together, not being some kind of super heroes or anything special. But find themselves in a situation where they are forced to save the world. Part of the chemistry in these two games are from that fact and also because Ratchet and Clank were together the entire game. For me the game's story line excelled when Ratchet and Clank were together and the conversations they would have. I could go on more on, but I will leave it there. Basically I hoped after tools that they were going back to the original formula of Ratchet and Clank, but I was wrong.

Yes, mine too, the 360 is collecting dust. I let my ex-wife take the 360 for our 4 year old son, and Im not missing it one bit. I mean, I could get it back, shes just borrowing it, but are you crazy. The PS3 is the system of the next-gen, or should I say this gen, we are already here. 360 with an opening door, no built in wi-fi, no web browser, not blue tooth compatible, no games coming out on it, not even sure their overpriced ZUNE is compatible with the old dinosaur. That sounds, so, like LAST gen to me!!!!!

Really looking forward to this. I've noticed other reviews comment on the lack of progress in the series. If the game works so well, why try to add content thats not needed. 'If it ain't broke don't fix it".

My man Sess, "Similar to the mathematical properties that find infinite potential in a finite space" -you write poetry. I often times find myself in awe of some of the descriptive narrative you put forth. This line in particular rolls of the tongue like maple syrup. I am an educated gamer and deeply appreciate well written game reviews. In my humble and meaningless opinion video games constitute art, and your reviews reflect, more than any other writer I have read, that ideal. Thank you for the integrity and respect you bring to the craft.

Thought I would like this since I use to back in the day but now I find them boring now all I want to do is get win after win online talking trash and plus I hate that once you beat this game that's it b/c there's no online that how I am for every other game

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